Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus
The gatekeeper or hedge brown is a species of butterfly found across Europe. Given its preference for warmer weather, the restriction of range expansion can be assumed to be due to climate.
36
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatekeeper_(butterfly)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Nymphalidae
Genus
Pyronia
Gatekeeper belongs to the family Nymphalidae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The gatekeeper or hedge brown is a species of butterfly found across Europe. Given its preference for warmer weather, the restriction of range expansion can be assumed to be due to climate. Colonies vary in size depending on the available habitat, and can range from a few dozen to several thousand butterflies. Named for its rigorous patrol of hedges and woodland rides, the gatekeeper butterfly is a prime pollinator. The caterpillars primarily feed on fine grasses such as fescues (Festuca) and bents (Agrostis), which are common in meadows and roadside verges.
The Gatekeeper butterfly is experiencing severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation of grassland ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in land management practices have eliminated much of the species' preferred habitat of flower-rich grasslands and woodland edges. Climate change is also affecting the species' distribution and the availability of its host plants and nectar sources.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
As indicated by its alternate name, the gatekeeper butterfly prefers the habitat of meadow margins and hedges; field gates are often in such locations, thus the gatekeeper can be found much more frequently in such locations than the meadow brown, for example.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Gatekeeper butterfly is experiencing severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation of grassland ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, urbanization, and changes in land management practices have eliminated much of the species' preferred habitat of flower-rich grasslands and woodland edges. Climate change is also affecting the species' distribution and the availability of its host plants and nectar sources.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Urbanization and development
Climate change impacts
Loss of host plants and nectar sources
Found in 36 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/gatekeeper